My Child is Struggling in School – What Can I Do About it?
All children will struggle in school at some point. The average child spends over 15 years in school, it is only natural that at some point they will face some difficulty that requires intervention. Rest assured, there is plenty that can be done to get them back on track once you have successfully identified the root cause of the problem.
Signs my child is struggling in school
Sudden change in mood
Lots of graffiti or scribbles on hands, books, bags or clothing
Refusing to talk about school or work
Refusing to go to school altogether or on specific days
School has raised concerns regarding progress or behaviour
Lots of time spent on homework or completing simple tasks around the house.
Low grades on report cards or shaky feedback during parents evening
Signs that your child is doing badly at school can easily be missed at first, but a combination will build up over time and can no longer be ignored. It is key to act fast when you suspect something is wrong. Research suggests that most children who start falling behind before age 7 are likely to stay behind for several years to come as it is so difficult to catch up.
Communication – talk to the school and your child
Having this conversation with your child can be difficult as it may not provide the information you are looking for; they may truly not know how they are doing in school. It is a good habit to have this conversation regularly, focusing on what is going well. This way you will be able to identify changes sooner. Talking to the school will provide you more information and advice on how to move forward. Parents that are keen to keep their child on track by regularly communicating with the school and responding to feedback will create a proactive environment around their child, where teachers will want to reach out more to support them. The aim of these conversations should be to identify what specifically can be done to make things better, allow your child to contribute their own ideas on what can help them do better in school.
Learning Disorders - signs to look for
If your child has a learning disorder (e.g. Dyslexia) they will need to be seen by your school’s Special Education Needs Co-ordinator for support. Speak to your GP and the school if you have concerns regarding this. There are some signs to look for which might point towards a learning disorder.
Delays in speech or understanding when others are talking
Struggles to communicate own thought process
Poor co-ordination or motor skills or handwriting
Very forgetful, must be reminded of things often
Struggles to follow instructions with more than one or two steps
Doesn’t play with other children or becomes very easily distressed
Unable to explain understanding of what has been read
Poor spelling across the board despite repeated help
Cannot memorise maths operations
Very disorganised, needs help finding things or keeping items safe
Struggles to plan or manage own time
Subject support – prioritise literacy and reading
Literacy is the foundation of education as it enables learning to take place in all other subjects. Your child may be falling behind in school because they are not reading enough and are therefore feeling the impact across the board. Reading is vital to academic success, even just 15 minutes of reading a day will help. The aim is to improve their vocabulary and strengthen their comprehension, so they can tackle any task in front of them. Continue reading to them even after they have learnt to read themselves so they can cultivate a love for literature. Make sure their daily routine includes time for reading and homework, in a designated area where you can see and support them, making sure they are on task.
See your GP – Health concerns can distract from learning
You might want to check the following with your GP, these can all impact on your child’s ability to focus in lessons
Lack of sleep
Poor eyesight or hearing
Diet – allergies or intolerances
ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, or other learning disabilities
Low mood, withdrawal, sudden loss of interest in things once loved
Should I try online tutoring?
Online tutoring will provide targeted support if your child is falling behind at school. One to one teaching provides your child the direct attention that is needed to identify gaps in understanding and provide adequate intervention. Supporting and investing in your child’s learning at home will emphasise its importance, helping to set them on the path to a successful future.
